Getting Lost in Louisiana

Three kids in tow, one family adventures across the bayou state.

Paul and I have always loved to travel, but as the family expanded, we scaled down our larger trips into shorter, weekend jaunts. As we began uncovering the kid-friendly side of every destination, we decided to share our trips and tips with others interested in exploring Louisiana. Armed with a laptop and a Nikon (and lots and lots of snacks), our family of five is currently working our way across the Bayou State (and sometimes crossing the border!).

Recent Travels

Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands, North Carolina

We might be headed into winter, but with today's 80 degree temperature in New Orleans, it reminds me of our late summer vacations to North Carolina. Nearly every August, we make a last ditch effort to escape the heat in Highlands, North Carolina. Just over the border...

Top Day Hikes in Louisiana
Top Day Hikes in Louisiana

The words hiking and Louisiana don't often go together. They certainly don't conjure up images of rugged mountain trails past bubbling creeks. But if you know where to look, Louisiana offers a unique chance to get outdoors in a different way. Discover a boardwalk...

Northern California’s Volcanoes
Northern California’s Volcanoes

For the last leg of our journey, we left the rugged, chilly coastline to venture east to northern California's volcanoes. The two areas couldn't have been more different than each other. And the four-hour drive between them was alternately wildly beautiful and utterly...

We had a nice behind the scenes tour of the Greater New Orleans Iris Society's nursery today. The irises are just about at peak bloom. You can see these cultivars blooming right now at Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden and Longue Vue House and Gardens. Both have special events coming up to show off this once in a year event.1. Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture GardenSunday, April 2Annual Louisiana Iris Rainbow Festival10 AM - 4 PMMusic, Demonstrations, Information, Conversation, Stroll Through the Irises Cultivars in the Original Section, Native Species in the Expansion.2. Longue Vue House and GardensTuesday, April 4 Louisiana Iris Day at Longue Vue4 PM - 7 PMCome stroll through the irises in the Wild Garden.Chat, enjoy light refreshments, relax.Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative, New Orleans City Park, Louisiana Travel ... See MoreSee Less
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Today was a fishy day! First the Big Bass Fishing Rodeo in New Orleans City Park and then FishStock in Plaquemines Parish.Plaquemines Parish Tourism, Louisiana Travel ... See MoreSee Less
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It’s definitely springtime in Louisiana! Louisiana Irises are popping up all over the place. The Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative has put together a fantastic list of places to see them blooming. Check it out here: www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1uVuZcbyeyxAl3ytqABwASjXUWJyEj4A&ll=30.284059700000032%2C-89...You can zoom in on the map to find the exact location of each site. By clicking on each location’s icon you will be taken to a page of that site with details on the location and photos.Louisiana Travel, Country Roads Magazine, Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans ... See MoreSee Less
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Top Day Hikes in Louisiana
Top Day Hikes in Louisiana

The words hiking and Louisiana don't often go together. They certainly don't conjure up images of rugged mountain trails past bubbling creeks. But if you know where to look, Louisiana offers a unique chance to get outdoors in a different way. Discover a boardwalk...

Morgan City to Avery Island
Morgan City to Avery Island

On one of the last cool weekends before summer, we jumped in the car to visit Avery Island, home to Tabasco as well as the beautiful oasis, Jungle Gardens. On previous trips, we always took I-10 from New Orleans to Breaux Bridge and then headed south. This time,...

End of the Road: Jefferson Parish’s Town of Jean Lafitte
End of the Road: Jefferson Parish’s Town of Jean Lafitte

We've been on a kick lately traveling to the end of all the roads in Louisiana--first in Plaquemines, then St. Bernard and now Jefferson via the Town of Jean Lafitte. It's altogether quite a different drive than the other two, most notably because we didn't seem to...

Top 5 Road Trips in Louisiana

1. St. Francisville

Arguably the most picturesque small town in the state, filled with historic plantations, stories of ghosts and the drawings of John James Audubon, beautiful gardens, a walkable historic district and proximity to Tunica Hills’ waterfalls and Cat Island, home to the largest bald cypress tree in the world.

2. Cajun Country

From Lafayette south, Cajun country is a land of boudin and Cajun dance halls, Tabasco and salt islands, the other-worldly Atchafalaya Basin and meandering, scenic bayous. It’s a place where French is woven into everyday language, good food is a way of life and music festivals dominate the weekends. 

3. Grand Isle

Wind your way down Bayou Lafouche (and the shrimp boats moored until next daylight) until the marsh opens up to the Gulf of Mexico. After all, getting to Grand Isle is half the experience. A fishing village on stilts, Grand Isle’s southern border boasts miles of sandy beaches and expansive Gulf views. Visit during peak migration and be greeted by thousands of song birds flocking to the inland forest. Camp on the beach at Grand Isle State Park, take a boat ride to Queen Bess Island and view the pelican rookery, or hire a charter and experience some of the best fishing in the world. 
Louisiana map with numbers

Travel Gallery

Some of the photos from across the state.

Afton Villa Gardens,  St. Francisville
Food Stand, Plaquemines Parish
Fort Jackson, Plaquemines Parish
Oak Alley, Vacherie, LA
Wetland Trace, Jean Lafitte, LA
Jackson Square, French Quarter, New Orleans
Jean Lafitte, LA